Every year, most of us celebrate the holidays the same way: family, friends, feasting and football. These are all good, of course. But there is another tradition we might consider adding. We can donate blood!

As we all realize, hospitals don’t close for the holidays; donating blood in December is a great way to start the holiday season because it reminds us that one person can truly make a difference.

Every day, while you or your child is in school, people in your community need blood donations to save their lives. They are undergoing surgery. Their immune system is low because of chemotherapy. They live with life threatening diseases. Or they may experience an accident at work. The next person who needs blood could make this extremely personal to you because it may be someone you care deeply about.

To schedule your “lifesaving” appointment for the Rugby holiday blood drive on Dec. 6 at Calvary Evangelical Free Church, please call Ray Minette at 776-6484 or email raylois@hotmail.com.

“Generally, most healthy people over 16 may donate,” Rich Larcombe from United Blood Services explained. “There are numerous people who do not realize they are qualified to donate. People who are taking medications that regulate their body, such as over-the-counter medications, vitamins, hormone replacements, diet pills, high blood pressure, cholesterol medications, antibiotics for acne, or medications for diabetes CAN and SHOULD donate.”

Currently, less then four percent of the North Dakota population donates blood to supply the 90,000 units needed each year. Meanwhile, the demand is rapidly increasing due to modern surgical techniques and new therapeutic uses for blood. Additional “lifesaving” blood donors are needed almost daily

The Rugby holiday blood drive on Thursday December 6th is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus and facilitated by United Blood Services. Please call Ray Minette at 776-6484 to set up an appointment to donate.

– Submitted by United Blood Services, Minot